The Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act, N.J.S.A. 13:20-1 et seq. protects drinking water for over 5.4 million people and helps preserve New Jersey's dwindling open space. Use this Web site to familiarize yourself with the regulations and the DEP Highlands regulatory program. The information provided here can assist homeowners, property owners, builders, and municipalities in determining if a project is located in the Highlands Region, what exemption criteria may apply, and development standards that may be required.

The Highlands rules implement the Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act signed on August 10, 2004. The rules incorporate the requisite standards of various land use, water resource and environmental protection statutes and establish a consolidated Highlands permitting review and approval process for activities constituting major Highlands development proposed in the Preservation Area.

Click here to view the Highlands Rule (pdf)

Frequently Asked Questions
	About the Act
	Homeowners and Property Owners
	Municipalities and Counties
Highlands Myths & Facts
	Myth: Highlands rules are an unnecessary rules.
	Myth: The rules don't allow me to plant a garden.
	Myth: The rules don't allow me to cut firewood without a Highlands permit.
	Click here for the facts... and more myths.
Statute & Regulations
	Highlands Rule (pdf)
	Complete Text of the Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act (pdf)
	Basis & Background for Septic Density Document (pdf)
Highlands Applications & Forms
	DEP Highlands Regulatory Process
	Highlands Preservation Area Approval Fee Schedule - 11/21/2008 (pdf)
Highlands Boundary
	Interactive Map of the Highlands Region
	Map of the Highlands Region (pdf)
	Preservation Area Boundary Description
Contact Us
	By phone
	By email

back to top